Bishopston Society news and events

Members of the Bishopston Society and local residents have been asked to bring questions along to the forthcoming public meeting on Tuesday 17th April at Gloucester Cricket Club (7.15pm for a 7.30pm start).

Set up to examine the economic vitality of Bishopston, focused on Gloucester Road, the event will be run along the lines of the famous BBC Question Time programme, to ensure that the voice of Bishopstonians dominates whilst accessing the expertise of our guest panelists.

‘What do you get when you put three local traders’ representatives, a local historian and a leading Green Councillor in the same room together and invite the public to raise their own questions and comments?’

‘Is Gloucester Road “the last great British high street” or was The Independent and the Mary Portas brigade preaching gloom and doom in 2004 with their famous coverage of the decline of the high street?’

‘Can we mark up the successes and learn from recent history about our very diverse high street, celebrate what’s good about Gloucester Road, and work with traders and others to make improvements and secure its future vitality?’

We don’t know the answer to questions like this, but look forward to a serious but engaging examination of issues like this, balancing expert guidance from our panel with lay participation.

Though we’re not expecting David Dimbleby to be in the chair, the event will rely on questions, comments and discussion led by the audience, in BBC Question Time style.

Bring along your contributions or submit them in advance here. Anonymous contributions will be considered, in advance of or at the start of the meeting.

The meeting takes place on Tuesday 17th April 2018, at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start, at Gloucester Cricket Club, Brightside Ground, Nevil Road, Bristol BS7 9EJ. Refreshments will be available and there’ll be chances to socialize.

Local organisations and others with “shout outs” from local groups announcements, news and views, will also have a slot before the meeting ends, in the Society’s legendary “Open Forum”.

The University West of England (UWE) are currently conducting a surveyabout how people are using Greenspaces at the moment. It’s been commissioned by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and the results will inform future policy. If you have an interest in our green areas and wish to take part in the survey please use the link below.
“By green spaces we mean any natural or semi-natural areas partially or completely covered by vegetation that occur in or near urban areas. They include parks, trails, woodlands, reservoirs, rivers, and allotments, which provide habitat for wildlife and can be used for recreation.
This study will provide robust, high-quality evidence to policy makers, local authorities, planners and property developers to make informed decisions on how green space should be provided, promoted and managed, and how its use and importance changes during pandemics”.
Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3cSGnnQand this is the press release: https://info.uwe.ac.uk/news/uwenews/news.aspx?id=4033

Supporters say a new station at St Anne’s could give rapid commuter access into central Bristol, Keynsham and Bath, relieving pressure on the busy A4 road linking the two cities. This follows secure funding for the Portishead line and Henbury station.